An update...

Ok friends... if you've been hanging with me at my new blog, thanks!  If you've noticed that I haven't posted... I know.  Here's the deal... the new blog is broken.  I'm in the process of looking for a web designer that can fix it and then maintain it for me, so in the meantime, I'm back here at my trusty blog to update you!!

So... this one is long overdue.  Earlier this summer, I became an auntie again!  I posted a couple photos from Emery's session, but never got around to an entire blog post.  So here it is.  World... meet Emery Rae at 4 days new.

Had to post just one...

Yes, friends... I've been one busy cookie lately.  I will keep updating the blog, but wanted to take a moment to introduce you to the newest member of the Pitzenberger family.

Blog friends... meet Emery Rae, 4 days new.

Dylan... [Medina Family Photographer]

Don't worry friends... I'm finally digging out of my editing coma!  I know I shared Devin & LeAnn's slideshow with you, but I'm also going to blog their wedding, along with another fun North Dakota wedding I shot recently.  BUT... for now, I wanted to share this special little one with you.

Jason and Ellie are very important people to hubby and I.  Jason grew up with hubby in Southern MN, went to college with hubby at UW-LAX, and has always been a part of our lives.  A few years ago, he met Ellie... and everything changed.  In fact, life got a million times better.  Ellie has become a wonderful friend of mine and hubby and I LOVE when we get to see them.  AND... last year (the day before hubby's birthday), Jason and Ellie welcome Dylan into the world.  Dear, sweet, perfect little Dylan.  I honestly couldn't love her more.  These three are so much more than friends... they are family.

Check out their slideshow here.

Connor turns 3.

Boy... how time does fly!  I can't believe this special little guy is 3!!!  Meet my nephew, Connor.  I only have one brother and he only has one son (for now).  :)  So... you can only imagine the spoiling this little one gets!  They came into the studio a couple weeks ago to capture this fun time and we had a blast!  Sometimes, Connor isn't terribly interested in his Auntie taking photos of him, but on this day, he turned on the charm!  This kids going to be a heart-breaker! 

Doesn't the first one look like something out of GQ, but 30 years too young? 

 

You have no idea what I had to do to get these next two shots.  Let's just say it involved some pretty goofy noises, a little dancing around, and one small red airplane.  Use your imagination.

I can't stop myself...

Hello... my name is Leah and I'm an impulse buyer.   (Que all to respond with "Hello Leah").  It's true.  I'm saying this with my head hanging low, but my heart soaring high because I do love a good impulse buy.  I could spend today blogging about balance, or my lack-therof, and how I need to find a way to set aside time for me, for my family, yada yada yada.  But gosh, that doesn't sound nearly as fun as talking about shopping!  I will share... this weekend, I did get to hang out with two amazing people, spend some time on Saturday taking photos of my BEAUTIFUL niece (who just turned one!! check her out here), then stayed in the studio to take photos of an adorable little guy, hang out with some of my favorite people on Saturday night (their family photos to come next week!), and then cap my weekend off with a FUN FUN FUN shoot of these adorable girls who are now 6 months old!!  Honestly... it was a perfect weekend filled with things I love.  Which brings me to the end of my weekend... and my "problem."

I love Ikea.  I don't know why.  It's sort of ridiculous.  I'm not sure if I love the prices, or the style, or the showroom, or the ridiculous stuff you can find there... maybe all of those things.  I headed to Ikea on my own (which is NEVER a good thing) after my final shoot.  I had three things on my list:  office curtains, whiteboard for my office, curtain rod.  As I entered that beautiful blue building, I was swept away in the goodness that Ikea brings.  I won't bore you with the details of my shopping trip, I'll just share what I walked out with:  office curtain fabric, two curtain rods, office whiteboard, comforter, duvet, a bonsai tree, AND a wok.  That's right friends... a wok.  Let me preface with... I have no need for a wok.  I have plenty of beautiful pans that can create the same dish as a wok.  In fact, I don't eat/make stir fry all that often.  But... in the moment, I NEEDED that wok.  It was $5... I mean c'mon... who doesn't need a $5 wok!?!  As I approached the kitchen area... that wok was daring me to walk by and not purchase it.  If you know me... I never walk away from a dare... so in my shopping cart it went.  (side note... what is up with those crazy shopping carts at Ikea!?!  Honestly... those wheels are nuts-o... I feel like I'm trying to control a race car driving entirely too fast around a corner.  I'm the lady who tries to make the turn, but the cart keeps going straight and I have to do this crazy cross step to get my cart to agree with me and actually go in the direction I'd like it to.  Honestly Ikea... shopping carts are only supposed to have 2 wheels that turn, not 4!!  Now back to the wok).  So... on my way home, wok packed delicately in the back seat, I realized... what am I going to do with a wok?  Moreover, how am I going to explain this wok to Jeff?  Inspiration struck me... tonight... we will use this beautiful new wok to make Szechuan green beans tonight!!  And... said green beans would NOT be delicious unless they were made in a wok, of course!  When I got home, I unpacked the car, and placed the wok on the counter.  Jeff walked over, looked at it, asked what it was, why I thought I needed it (duh... for the green beans!!), and where I was going to put it.  I informed him it was only $5 and it would, of course go in the cupboard... we have plenty of space now after the kitchen reno!  As we sat down to eat the wok fried green beans... Jeff kindly looked at me and calmly said... "Do you think you're an impulse buyer?"  What!?!  Me!?!  "Umm... no.  I'm just efficient.  When I see something that we need, instead of waiting to purchase it, I buy it on the spot and save us the extra trip back to the store."  Jeff responded, "Oh, ok.  Just curious."  "FINE!!  You're right!!  I have an impulse problem!  I know... I didn't NEED the wok, but what the heck.  It was $5 and I thought... hey, why not treat myself a little?  I've been working my butt off lately and I just thought I could splurge and buy myself something... just because I wanted to.  Gosh... get off my back already!"  And then... we laughed.

So... I'm taking it one day at a time... and would appreciate your support.  I do have to share, however, that Jeff LOVED the new curtain fabric and the new duvet (and the green beans!!).  He is, however, just now finding out (as he reads this) that I also purchased a comforter.  Didn't you love it as you snuggled up under it last night babe?  I knew you would.  ;) 

A quick photo of the new curtain fabric... and the duvet.
 

It's time to laugh...(I hope)

One of the things I love most about my husband is his ability to make me laugh.  I mentioned yesterday that laughing is healing to me... and boy, is that true!  There are times when I find his goofy-ness gets in the way.  (Side-note... we don't have children, so for that reason, our dog, Tootsie, tends to be the center of many of our discussions.)   I'll be having a conversation with him about how I've noticed that Toots seems to be losing a little hair on her sides and, he'll be acting like he's listening, and then will calmly bend down to our dog.  In that moment, I assume he's about to look at her hair loss, and he'll look deep into her eyes and say, "You have to go poo-poo?"  Seriously? 

So... a blog I love to follow is http://www.dooce.com/.  I find her humor completely inappropriate, and thus, right up my alley.  Awhile back, she posted a video and when I searched for it on youtube, I found this version from Ellen's show.  Everytime I watch it, I laugh out loud. 

I, of course, HAD to share this with Jeff so we could laugh together... which we did.  Now, back to Tootsie.  So... our dog has a pee-pee problem.  Well, sort of.  For some reason, when we get her a new bed, she has to "break it in" by urinating on it... multiple times.  We'll take it, wash it, give it back to her, put her to bed, and she'll pee-pee again, and we'll take it, wash it, give it back to her, put her to bed, and she'll pee-pee again... you get the picture.  She does not have a potty problem... this is just her way of letting us know that the bed is HERS, we think.  Anyway, we found this video completely appropriate for our situation, so we've started a new tradition.  Before bed, Jeff & I sing this song (in as close of a voice as possible to the one heard in the original) to Tootsie, in an effort to build her confidence up.  She didn't seem partial to this version, so instead, we've began taking artistic liberty.  The last few nights, we've been singing to the tune of "Oh Happy Day" - that's right, the version from Sister Act II.  We usually begin with the bridge and it goes something like this...

"They taught me how... to pee-pee... outside... and not in my bed.  No happy pee-pee.  No happy pee-pee.   When mama washed, when daddy washed, they washed my pee-pee away.  No happy pee-pee."

 

That's right folks... if we ever decide to have children, we are already armed with our very own potty song.  Booyah.

 Because no blog post is complete without a photo (even if it is from my iPhone)... here is the face I get in the morning, when I wake her up to have a conversation about the pee-pee.

Finding courage and laughter...

I try to laugh often.  I find that it keeps me moving.  Just when things seem overwhelming, I find myself laughing uncontrollably... usually at myself.  Is that weird?  As I've gotten to know myself better, I'm come to the realization that some neuroses are ok.  You know... I'm fine with the fact that when I feel like life is gettting the best of me, my solution is to ransack the fridge and throw away everything that has been in there longer than 2 months - regardless of the expiration date (hey, it's better than eating everything that's been in the fridge longer than 2 months, right?).  I'm alright with the fact that it's ok for me to leave my photography gear, fabric, props, etc, sitting out, but the second Jeff sets one single notebook down, I let him know very nicely that I'd prefer if he cleaned up after himself.  I mean seriously... how rude of him to be such a slob!  I'm really quite comfortable with the idea that while I've got a million things on my plate, I always seem to find just enough time to watch The Real Housewives of... (you name it... I watch most of them).  C'mon - priorities people!  It's just me... and I'm ok with that.  I spent my 20's trying to figure out who the heck this crazy lady named Leah was, and now, in my (insert gasp here) 30's, I'm pretty darn happy with the person my 20's created.  That being said... life does seem to be a process of sorts, huh? 

When I first started photography, I was supported by so many wonderful people.  People who continued to tell me that I could do this, that I was "good enough."  That one took me awhile to believe - and honestly, there are times still when I wonder, but they are getting fewer and farther between.  BUT (and there's always a "but," isn't there?).  But...there were people who also weren't so supportive.  In fact, I had one "friend" tell me that my camera wasn't nice enough, my lenses weren't expensive enough, and that I hadn't taken enough classes.  While what she was saying was partly true - my camera wasn't top of the line, my lens was an entry level lens, and I'd only taken one weekend workshop, I just had to believe that she wasn't right.  Although... in my "greenhorn" eyes (Yup... that's right, I not only make time for The Real Housewives, but I'm also OBSESSED with Deadliest Catch), I was inclined to believe her.  So, I decided I wasn't good enough.  I let her words sink deep into my soul and that was it.  I wasn't going to take pictures for people... this was not my "thing."  I was lucky though.  Two things happened:  

First...  another friend told me that camera's don't take pictures, people do.  You can have the nicest camera in the world and take a crappy picture.  And, you can have a really inexpensive camera and can capture beautiful images.

Second... Photography found me.  Dorky, I know, but oh so true.  I never set out to be a photographer.  I never dreamed that people would hire me.  I never imagined the overwhelming response this business would get.  I never thought I could do it... but through all that doubt, every time I picked up my camera, I felt confident.  The stress, the doubt, the negativity all melted away and it was me with my camera... and it felt just perfect... it still feels just perfect.

So... over the coming weeks, I'm hoping to share more and more of my journey with you. I have to believe that there are other people out there who just want to grow and take better pictures. If there's any way I can be like my second friend was and encourage you in your journey... then this will all be worth it. Here are a few photos from my very first venture into portrait photography (remember... this is a space of non-judgment!).

I call this next one "Give me my damn carrots lady!"

And here are a few from a session I had this spring.  What a difference a couple years can make!

Now... on a side note.  You may be wondering 'where is that first friend?'  Who the f- knows?  Honestly, haven't seen or heard from her since.  All I know is that she wasn't right and instead of being a friend, she became a "friend." 

Back to laughing.  My goal with these personal posts is two-fold.  To help you understand,deep in your soul, that when something finds you, you should trust that it's found you for a reason.  And secondly... to make you laugh, if even just a little, even if it's laughing AT me and not WITH me.  Hey... I'm happy to help in any way I can.  ;)

Let's get personal...

Ok blog friends... I'm going to start getting personal.  I sure hope you're ok with that.  :)  I first have to share just how humbled I am by this business.  I consistently am honored that client after client is willing to welcome me into their life.  I never imagined when I started this journey that I would be booked two months in advance.  I never imagined that people would trust me with the amazing opportunity to capture their wedding moments.  I never imagined that I would be asked to teach and share my passion.  I never imagined that I would meet so many wonderful people, who would turn into beautiful friends.  These last two are particularly humbling to me.  I don't see myself as an expert... quite the opposite, in fact.  I'm learning and growing each and every day... working hard to make each image just a little better than the last.  What I have noticed, however, is more and more of my clients really wanting to learn how to use their cameras to be able to capture their family the other 364 days of the year.  I've had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with some of these clients, walk them through all the buttons on their camera, and, hopefully, help them find their way on their own.  What an honor.  For that opportunity, I am genuinely excited... and look-out... you may seem some up-coming classes for my clients... How to take better pictures... your way!  :)  Let me know if that's something you'd be interested in.  If I get enough interest, I'll get one scheduled.


Now... I have to share something.  For the last year, I've been living in a construction zone!!  When Jeff & I moved into this house, we knew we wanted to open the main floor up.  What a process that has been!  Walls coming down, cabinets being built, wiring being added, lighting being removed, lighting being installed, countertops being order, finding out that countertops aren't available, finding out that there are only 2 slabs of said countertops left in MN, finding those two slabs and paying premium price for them, appliances ordered, appliances NOT fitting, walls being moved, appliances being installed (barely), and AHHHHHH.  Finally being finished!!!  Check out the transformation.  I can honestly say I sit on our couch now and can finally take a deep breath.  Who wants to come party!?!?  We're ready to get the boat out, we have the kegerator tapped, and are ready to entertain!  Lookout summer, here we come... oh wait, Jeff has plans to tear off the current deck and build a wrap around deck this summer.  Construction zone again, I guess... but at least I can stand in my new kitchen as chaos swirls around me.  :)

And finally...



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